The music industry is suing Ireland

THE MUSIC INDUSTRY is suing Ireland over its alleged failure to adopt legislation in support of aspects of EU copyright law that would protect its content.

The music cartel is overly fond of suing people, and when it isn't reissuing classic albums, compilations, and autotune showcases, it brandishes lawyers like porcupines rattle their quills.

According to the IT Law in Ireland legal blog, which is run by TJ McIntyre, a solicitor and lecturer in the School of Law, University College Dublin, Ireland is its latest target. Ireland is being sued by EMI Records Ireland, Sony BMG, Universal and Warner Music, apparently because it has been slow to implement European rules that prohibit filesharing.

According to a very brief note on the Irish High Courts filing page, the plaintiffs filed a complaint on 10 January in a case entitled EMI RECORDS [IRELAND] LTD & ORS -V- IRELAND & ANOR 2012/146.

EMI Records Ireland is unhappy that the Irish government has not yet passed laws that will make internet service providers (ISPs) block access to web sites that illegally share copyrighted material. In the UK similar laws have compelled BT, and others, to block access to Newzbin2. We have asked the government of Ireland to comment.

In 2010 EMI sued Irish ISP Eircom over web blocking, but Mr Justice Charlton said that there was no provision for blocking web sites under Irish Law, which rankled the music industry. As recently as December noises inside the Irish government suggested that it was still working on how to satisfy the demands of media firms, but things are not happening fast enough to please the music recording labels.